Essential CIS Politics: May 2-15
Main headlines:
- There were no Russia-Ukraine talks, although Putin, Zelensky and Western countries have all made positive statements about peace.
- Trump takes credit for a shaky Victory Day ceasefire; Russia and Ukraine exchange prisoners, corpses and strikes.
- Ukrainian drone incident in Latvia causes resignations and government collapse.
- Major Zelensky ally Andriy Yermak was jailed for corruption by Ukrainian state anti-corruption authorities due to his responsibility in a USD 100m fraud.
- Armenia prepares for elections between a pro-west incumbent and a divided opposition, with both sides clashing over approaches to the Church and foreign relations. Incumbent Pashinyan’s chances seem solid.
Other significant developments:
- The Ukraine war results in another disappointing two weeks for Russia.
- A prominent Russian hardliner outlines views on Europe, demands war with the West.
- Russia holds an underwhelming Victory Day parade in Moscow despite Ukrainian threats of disruption.
- Russia tests the new ICBM “Satan II”.
- EU says Ukraine will need 10-15 years to join.
- Ukraine’s population has almost halved.
- Ukraine and France fund rebels against Russian and Russian-aligned forces in Mali.
- US Department of Defense, sons of Trump, and Kazakhstan collaborate on a tungsten joint venture.
- The Turkish state visit to Kazakhstan yields commercial agreements.
- Macron visits Armenia for the Armenia-EU summit.
Now read on...
Register to sample a report